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November nuggets: Astros alumni golf tourney, and Dierker is ready to be roasted.

The annual Astros Alumni Golf Classic always draws a nice crowd, especially since this particular event is held during the very best time of the year to be living in Houston — November, when the temperatures have cooled, the sun’s still out and the setting really could not be any better for a good old fashioned baseball reunion.

Ring leader Larry Dierker has done a fabulous job of organizing the many alumni events that have taken place over the 10 years — can you believe it’s been 10 years? — since he retired from managing. The golf events, alumni autograph signings and other activities involving former players are largely Dirk’s brainchild. Kudos to the lifelong Astro for keeping everyone involved with the hometown team.

Wednesday’s Classic took place at the Wildcat Golf Club and the proceeds will go to the Astros MLB Urban Youth Academy, located at Sylvester Turner Park.

Astros Broadcasters Bill Brown, Jim Deshaies, Brett Dolan and Dave Raymond also took to the links, while Hall of Fame Broadcaster Milo Hamilton served as emcee.

The Astros are gearing up to celebrate their 50th anniversary, and this golf tournament was a nice preview of what’s to come in 2012. A few images from the event:

Brownie, John Hudek.

Larry Dierker

Dierker, Bob Aspromonteh

Enos Cabell

Phil Garner, Bob Watson

Dierker, Jimmy Wynn, Watson

Speaking of Dierker, he’ll be the guest of honor at a roast on Nov. 29 at the Houston Improv, presented by Sports Radio 610. It should be quite a hoot, not only because Dirk should make for a great roastee, but also because of who’s doing the roasting: Brownie, J.D., Bill Worrell, former Rockets GM Carroll Dawson and former Astro Norm Miller.

Dierker: “The best part is that the person being roasted gets the last word.” During his time as manager, the one thing I learned about Dirk is that he is really, really good at laughing at himself. He can also hand out a few zingers of his own. Should be a great night.

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